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The Precious Backlash
While the media cheers the new movie Precious from director Lee Daniels, Armond White of the New York Press has a few objections. The critic says that the story of an African-American teenager who is raped by her father and abused by her mother is a vehicle of “exploitation and opportunism” for Daniels and executive producers Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry. Daniels, according to White, is a “shrewd pathology pimp” whose film is an “orgy of prurience.” “Not since The Birth of a Nation has a mainstream movie demeaned the idea of black American life as much as Precious,” White writes. White's final complaint is the film tricks white audiences into believing that it portrays an authentic African-American existence. “Some people,” he concludes, “like being conned.”
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BS. That's fiction, jackass. It is both true and embellished.
who give a shit?
Newporker - I definitely would not think you would care about this at all. Why post?
movies when we have real troubles in this country seems a tad trivial. dont know what its all about and don't care its just a movie. and your right i never should have posted That's it.
Oh-h-h-h. Poor booby.
Because newporker is nothing but one cheap shot after another.
Hopefully most white viewers will be intelligent enough to understand that this is one (1) story and no more.
A snip from Mr. White's review:
"...Flashbacks to Precious' rape contain a curious montage of grease, sweat, bacon and Vaseline. Later, he intercuts a shot of pig's feet cooking on a stove with Precious being humped while her mother watches from a corner. Another misjudged scene recreates De Sica's B&W Two Women-a half-camp trashing of motherhood that compounds the problem of cultural alienation. So does the film's Ebonics credit sequence and the scene of Precious rotating amidst a bombardment of success icons-Martina Arroyo, MLK, Shirley Chisholm-to which she either relates or is ignorant.This incoherence should not pass for sociology.
Not since The Birth of a Nation has a mainstream movie demeaned the idea of black American life as much as Precious. Full of brazenly racist clichés (Precious steals and eats an entire bucket of fried chicken), it is a sociological horror show. Offering racist hysteria masquerading as social sensitivity, it's been acclaimed on the international festival circuit that usually disdains movies about black Americans as somehow inartistic and unworthy."...
Mr. White misses the larger point: this is a story of humanity's inhumanity. This story is as close to Greek tragedies as you can get, it is a universal story. Yet Mr. White seems offended by the actor's skin color and ethnicity and other "so what?" complaints about movie history, in a bad way.
Mr. White's review tells more about his mundane gripes and frustrations than about the work discussed here. Nobody cares.
That's precisely White's point: we're tired of stories parading "humanity's inhumanity." Could it be that we can actually start making works of art that does the opposite: shed light into inhumanity's humanity?
Also, pretty presumptious to compare Precious to a Greek tragedy. Universal? Really? If you did a focus screening of viewers in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Karachi, or Capetown, and come to that conclusion, sure. But your sweeping statement just proves White's point: that, Precious is a highly contextualized, if not crudely caricatured story that takes place in Harlem, NY, a very particular portrayal. If you agree with Daniels' render, and believe that's the authentic image of Black life to the world, so be it. But I'd hardly call objections to that -- including White's -- "mundane."
Jaygim:
I think you overestimate Armond White's sincerity. This movie is already one of the most discussed films of the year. As its momentum grows, and we get closer to the Oscars, even more people will sing its praises.
As such, Armond White has taken it upon himself to be the oh so clever contrarian. He knows its a great film, but everyone will say that. So White goes the other way, referencing Birth of a Nation, perhaps the single most racist film in our nation's history...really, Mr. White?...
This is not an original technique, of course. But when creative insight fails, and you reallly have nothing interesting to add to the conversation, and you want to stand out...just go against the norm.
Noontime.
Point taken. White's not perfect and at times, he's missed the mark by trying too hard to over-interpret. But I hardly think the Oscars, Toronto, or worse, the self-serving marketing hype of Sundance should be the criteria for a film's merit or success. Just do a probe of who it is that serves on those juries and then (sigh) we have to come crawling back to White's point about "liberal condescension and guilt."
It's a story; one of many, some good stories, some sad stories, some bad stories, but nevertheless just a story. No one said it was non-fiction. Mr White needs to get over himself.
As a African American this is definitely a movie I will be avoiding! Nothing make a white person feel better about themselves than a film about pathetic Negroes! Since the average white person has absolutely no social interactions white Blacks they will take this film literally! As in every black family is like this one! Miserable and dysfunctional! Next!
I resent that quite frankly, darcman, should we think that way about all dramas?
darcman - Excellent point. I had forgotten that because I am completely stupid, utterly unperceptive and such a total racist to boot, that I would just end up generalizing about everything I might see in this movie to be what actually happens in every black family in America. Thank God we have you here to save us average white persons from our evil, evil selves, at least in this regard.
"Nothing makes a white person feel better about themselves than a film about pathetic Negroes!"
So we're supposed to only see the Huxtables and Malcolm X?
"Since the average white person has absolutely no social interactions white Blacks they will take this film literally!"
First of all, the film is meant to be taken literally. It's not a freakin' allegory. It's a fictional story of the abusive treatment of a young black woman written by a black woman. Secondly, here I was thinking that I was average. Do my associations make me above average, or below? Do I have to go to "Real America" to find an average white person? I don't think I know any. Let me know if you manage to capture one of these in the wild.
"As if every black family is like this one! Miserable and dysfunctional! Next!"
This is precisely why I avoided "Talladega Nights." You probably still think we all work at the race track.
I'm sensing a lot of hate out of your post, given its tone and capitalization. Let it go before it kills you. You should try not to let your race define you completely. When I get up in the morning I don't think to myself, "Well...another day as a white man...life sure is sweet!" I get the feeling that you put on the angry, militant victim stance before you even get to your pants.
My experiences in the south span nearly forty years. Even as late as the early nineties I used to hear slurs and other garbage when in the presence of an all-white crowd. It's been years since I heard anyone spout off like that. It's simply not tolerated anymore. In my experience, the vast preponderance of people really don't discriminate much on the basis of race anymore, but assholes are still fair game.
This is one story of many stories of the AA experience. The problem is there are so FEW black movies. It seems like this speaks for all of them.
Abuse and illiteracy crosses many cultures.
There are "FEW" black movies?
How does she know thats her daddy?
Although I have not seen the movie, I have seen enough of life in my 47 years to say that the folks on this comment thread that are upset about the depiction sound like snobs to me. How dare you dismiss this story as not being representative of black life or life in general. How can you be so dismissive on the heels of the discovery of the girl that was kidnapped and held for 20 years and similar stories. Is it the norm, no. Are there real "Prescious' of the world, yes. Just because you don't believe it does not mean it isn't true. Stop being so dismissive and start doing something proactive.
didicateddiva - thank you! This movie is NOT representative of the "Black" experience ....however, it is 1) fiction, 2) emotionally charged with real life situations....and 3) someone's story... Emotionally charges with real life situations: by this I mean that children are sexually abused (unfortunately) and sometimes it IS by a family member, whether by a father or father-figure, cousin, uncle, aunt...etc, it does happen & children are physically abused, and mentally & emotionally abused as well. So this story, while it may not be my story or my children's story or anyone that I know's....it is a compilation of some people's.
This is not a movie this is black on black exploitation-- Just another way to make a buck off some made up tragedy common to the human experience
This reviewer says:
"Excellent recent films with black themes-Next Day Air" were ignored by mainstream media.
Next Day Air? The film about 3 black guys who are unemployed, try to rob a bank and then get a shipment of drugs to sell? Besides for the film being awful....
This guy just is just angry
"Precious" is hip-hopified "Ugly Betty" for the film fest crowd.
How can it be that bad if the audience sympathizes and empathizes with the characters? In a country of 305 million people, there are many stories like "Precious." For anyone to think that this is a story about African-Americans, needs to look beyond the color of the characters' skin, themselves.
I do not think everyone is stupid enough to think all Black families are like this one, or that there are not a plethora of white, yellow, red, and any other color of families, or any race or culture of families where this does not go on.
Prescious may be a story we all need to hear, from the standpoint of children in our country, in spite of all the money being thrown at the issues, are less protected than many other countries. The reason being that we feel they are protected.
I taught Youth Protection and heard teachers tell children not to wash their dirty laundry in public when they attempted to ask for help.
I was told by a Principal, who did not want to deal with a father who had his thirteen year old daughter sleeping in his really expensive bedroom (he said she was afraid of the dark) and continued to put lotion on her after showers because he said she did not do it properly and got rashes...........that I should mind my own business when I told her that it was her school and she needed to report it.
There is no excuse for people who are paid to protect children that are afraid to do so.
In private schools the story is even worse. Most want three documented with photos, and taped discussion with the child, before they will report. This is illegal.
They have to report the first time.
Until we make our children a priority, give jobs to enough people to make sure the teacher/child ratio is always a good one to protect the children, and make sure we have supportive parent education and just plain "got to get away from the kids" programs, we are going to continue to have the same problems.
My sons went to a very prestigious private high school. During a retreat many of the students talked about being molested by fathers, mothers, brothers, uncles, aunts, and friends of the family.
My sons came home and said, WHEW, we thought having a mom with a terminal illness was bad, we had NO idea.
These problems are not just in any type of family and we all need to start looking for resolution for all our children, not just getting in a huff over one movie and if it harms the reputation of one culture.
Maybe to avoid this aspect they needed to add in a therapeutic part where Prescious met many other youths with the same issues, rich, poor, and from all cultures...........
But I do not think Oprah meant to make a movie to put down Black people.
First of all, Beast, please go to Rotten Tomatoes and check out this man's track record of movie reviews. He gets readers and media attention by criticizing the universally praised (District 9, every Pixar movie ever) and praising absolute crap (Dance Flick, GI Joe).
Second of all, to criticize this film because it portrays an untrue or unfair view of Black life is ridiculous. I live in Baltimore and while I understand Blacks live in every social strata, there are those that see the same struggles that are depicted in Precious. This drama is not trying to make sweeping generalizations about Black culture. It is conveying the struggles of a few. It's telling a story. Nothing more.
The difference between "District 9" and "Dance Flick" or "G.I.Joe" is the first took itself seriously and was also a collage work from previous movies and writings- "Enemy Mine"- excerpts from Kafka's "Metamorphosis" to manipulate consumers into compassion, the latter two movies are farces and mock up's taking them seriously and not enjoying their worthlessness is moronic.
I read reviews on "AntiChrist" today that prove the low intellect of people- first of all- the movie isn't a scary movie- its horror- horror is defined not as a genre but as such copied from Webster's:
* intense and profound fear
* something that inspires dislike; something horrible; "the painting that others found so beautiful was a horror to him"
* repugnance: intense aversion
The film "AntiChrist" was about the horror of nature and the psychology of female anxiety- it could have been a pro-life film if one actually understands the value behind Lars Von Triers female character- it was termed a misogynists dream- in fact it brings compassion for the depraved embodiment Charlotte Gainsbourg under-go's after losing a baby and feeling penetrated by an evil being controlling her mind and fucking her.
"Precious" fared well in a compiled statistic, I will see it regardless of my opinions.
The film would no be marred if Oprah-Harpo were not involved. If the characters were white it wouldn't be anything but "Gummo"- see the real issue is Oprah's black "respect" campaigns or one should read appropriately "public admissions". When in fact whites do the same thing- "respect my white culture"- of course they are considered neo-nazi's. Makes one wonder if Oprah's constant public portrayal of being such a good woman isn't a show- a kind of exhibition of deeds and presented for approval-its also a way to build a loyal consumer base Her T.V. charity program also made her a billionaire...most social workers aren't sure if they'll get Social Security when retiring.
None the less Oprah is convinced she's some sort genius of culture- in fact "Gummo" -"Kids" and a few other films dealing with extreme circumstances- "Tras El Cristal" (1987) all have been overlooked and don't exploit but depict the hidden truths and grim realities.
"exploitation and opportunism" seem to be Oprah's middle names lately... I think she has lowered herself to the lowest common denominator. Her and her ilk, such as Ellen (who I wanted to slap when she used her show to go on a rampage toward the pet adoption lady after Ellen broke her adopted dog contract) and the entire self absorbed endless drabble conversation about Ellen on the cover of O drama. Please ladies, get a room already and close the door!
I'm skeptical about Mr.White's righteous indigniation. Lee Daniels had a really tough childhood, grew up in neighborhoods like this, and was surrounded by violence as a kid - has he not a right to tell stories that he can relate to? Something tells me Mr. White has very little in common with Daniels.
True. I heard his interview with Terry Gross on NPR's Fresh Air program yesterday.
I love that program.
I heard parts of the interview on NPR yesterday. The guy had a rough childhood. Not on the same order of magnitude that I take 'Precious' to be at, but certainly bearing on why he would make a movie as such.
http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=120092180
Really? You should google the dissenting opinions about this, including those by his own family: not sure if Daniels -- a self-described "hustler" -- simply perpetuated his urban North Philly tragic-hype to sell his film. Kinda like Vanilla Ice. Or, Hillary and the Bosnia episode for that matter. It's called marketing.
sounds like an extremely depressing movie
find a copy of "Tras El Cristal" (1987) and see "Gummo" and realize this (Precious) isn't a new kinda of film- it just has black people in it.
And I don't remember Miss Winfrey America's #1 Angel, promoting Larry Clark in the past or me (MikeAlike- under another alias)- being I am the person whom posted all the film reviews and have done so for a couple of years on www.oprah.com that were even remotely close to anything prolific or delving into subjects a step away from Oprah's typical cookie cutting- buppie-- "Small World After All" genre's- in fact I am/was the only one- and where's my check bitch, studio or album endorsement? Seriously we need to do a bit more than watch our weight with Harpo/Oprah- you gotta watch your words- because they could get eaten up and you could lose your meal tickets.
I wrote about the oil companies and even book plans which were snagged up by another person with no credit or check in my name. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.
Not a single advant gaurde film or idea in her site except for mine, written by me- not Perry, Tyler- I wrote about "The Violin", Crispin Glover's films- horror films- "Tears Of The Black Tiger", "What Would Jesus Buy"...etc...I must be an inspiration (clap clap clap)...
Its different when a T.V. superstar endorses a film, correct? Actually it proves that once again people cannot think for themselves and rely on celebrity endorsements and dictation from others to understand or even delve into art or subject matter- when in fact films dealing with
1.molestations
2.drugs.
3.abuse
4. poor, depraved sex starved situations
have been made before and most likely none- none of you so-called interested individuals take the time to understand or search for such- in FACT independent art and film have been in the process for years The difference with "Gummo" is the characters are not redemptive in a sort of "Christian" way- you know "innocent"...they aren't "Precious".
-MikeAlike
correction:
The film would (not) be marred if Oprah-Harpo were not involved. If the characters were white it wouldn't be anything but "Gummo"- see the real issue is Oprah's black "respect" campaigns or one should read appropriately "public admissions". When in fact whites do the same thing- "respect my white culture"- of course they are considered neo-nazi's. Makes one wonder if Oprah's constant public portrayal of being such a good woman isn't a show- a kind of exhibition of deeds and presented for approval-its also a way to build a loyal consumer base Her T.V. charity program also made her a billionaire...most social workers aren't sure if they'll get Social Security when retiring.
None the less Oprah is convinced she's some sort genius of culture- in fact "Gummo" -"Kids" and a few other films dealing with extreme circumstances- "Tras El Cristal" (1987) all have been overlooked and don't exploit but depict the hidden truths and grim realities.
(MikeAlike)
I have reservation about viewing the movie.
Lee Daniels..the director of this film.. his film are extreme sensationlism..if you seen the film "shadowboxer" .. you know what to expect from his films..
A friend has the book..titled PUSH..from which the movie "Precious" is derived from..I read parts of the book ..it's brutal..
I'm not sure..if this film is something I want to pay money to view. ..
I don't believe the film will top the weekend box office.. I predict the film will be on DVD in less than a month..
I've viewed the trailor..its RAW violent brutality..child abuse..adult theme and probably some sobering points..rated PG 13..
I would not recommend any CHILD under (17) to view this film.. this is a film you will have to explain to your children ..the horror and terror infiltrated..
OSCAR potential? Maybe the girl who plays "Precious"..who is Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe.. who actually speaks like a cali valley girl ..she is NOTHING like the character played ..if anyone deserves a OSCAR it's her..(Gaboury 'Gabby' Sidibe)
As for Mr White's parody.. is extreme on some points...but has some leverage on other points.. although..he crossed the line when he mentioned what WHITES THINK of this film..which tell me he is ashamed when he said.. "what these NEGROES do in this film".. and so he's more concerned WITH what "whites" think of these so called negroes on this film..
..what Mr. White doesn't seem to understand..he can't control what whatever color hue of PPL and what they may think ..whether these PPL are white, black, brown, red or yellow (Lol)..for Mr. White to make such an parody.>.plays into the realm of slave mentality..CARING ABOUT "WHAT MASSA THINKS" is priority. to a slave.. it's more important than anything else imaginable ..after all we negroes have to apologize to "white folks" for being black and rightfully cursed from GOD thru one of Noah's son's seed..therefore NEGROES MUST be apologetics to white folks always.. for being dumb, lazy, stupid, uneducated and violent..and also for making exploitation films such as " PRECIOUS"...
Mr .White ...GET THE HELL UP OOOUT OF HERE..
I'm more impressed with a film titled "Kings Of The Day" being released in Feb-2010..starring Tyson Beckford & Lynn Whitfield... the film is about african men upon the depression era..and how they were able to keep their families and communities together when at that time in america..black AMERICANS were totally dismissed ..disrespected ..emasculated..in a white supremacist american culture..and how these men STILL prevailed..
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